GE: The US Is Good, Europe Is Okay, The Emerging Markets Are Strong (GE)

Sam Ro, provided by

Published 6:32 am, Friday, January 17, 2014

General Electric just announced its fourth quarter financial results.

Operating earnings jumped 20% year-over-year to $0.53 per share, which was right in line with expectations.

The global manufacturing conglomerate said organic revenues climbed 5%. Orders during the period jumped 8%.

“We saw good conditions in growth markets, strength in the U.S., and a mixed environment in Europe," said CEO Jeff Immelt. "We had strong operating performance for the year and are pleased with our execution in 2013, taking $1.6 billion of cost out, growing margins, reducing the size of GE Capital, and returning more than $18 billion to shareholders.”

Orders, which represent future growth, grew 8% in the U.S., 3% in Europe, and 13% in the growth markets.

GE makes everything from wind turbines to jet engines to high-tech medical equipment. It is widely considered a good bellwether of economic activity.